Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City will fear no-one in the Champions League last 16 despite limping through in second place behind Barcelona
David Silva salvages unconvincing 1-1 draw at Borussia Monchengladbach but Etihad chief insists he is delighted
PEP GUARDIOLA says his Manchester City side has nothing to fear going in with the Champions League giants.
City clinched a last-16 place for a fourth year running in unconvincing fashion thanks to David Silva’s equaliser.
But they will go through in second after Barcelona secured top spot by winning at Celtic.
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Etihad chief Pep said: “We have to improve in Europe and I believe we can do that.
"We are through and that’s why I’m so, so happy.
“We know in Europe every team you play can cause you problems. But we are improving.”
Guardiola’s old club Bayern Munich are also in the same position as City — trailing Atletico Madrid by six points in Group D.
That means the Etihad outfit will at least avoid Carlo Ancelotti’s German champions in the next round.
Guardiola added: “In the knockout rounds all the teams will be really tough.
“A team that is going to face Bayern Munich is going to suffer. I’m glad we are not going to face Bayern! But all the teams are so strong. So we will wait for the draw.”
City were far from their best against a side they beat 4-0 in September — and had to come from behind to earn the point they needed.
Both teams ended with ten-men as Fernandinho saw red for two bookings.
Guardiola is looking forward to focusing on the Premier League.
But he warned: “If we play like the opening of the first half here we will lose the title.”
The former Barca chief predicted Group C could go to the wire — but they made it with a game left.
He said: “After the draw we knew it was difficult.
“I know how good Monchengladbach are and we also had the best team in Europe plus Celtic.”